Pakistan slams shooting incident at Saudi Embassy in The Hague

Pakistan strongly condemned the shooting incident that targeted the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in the Dutch capital, The Hague, on Friday, a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stated.

Unidentified assailants sprayed the embassy of Saudi Arabia in the Netherlands with gunfire before dawn a day before, the Dutch Police said, claiming that no one was hurt in the incident.

The Dutch police said there had been no arrests after the building was hit just before 6am (0500GMT). Images on television showed casings scattered on the street and bullet holes in the windows.

"The shameful attack blatantly violated all international laws and norms," the press release added. "Pakistan appreciates prompt action by the Dutch authorities and hopes the perpetrators will soon be brought to justice."

MoFA added that Pakistan expressed its solidarity with the KSA. "We stand by the Kingdom against any threat to its safety and security."

On October 13, a number of bullet casings were found at the scene after the incident, the Dutch news agency ANP quoted police as saying.

Local media said there were 20 bullet holes in the building and showed pictures of some holes in windows. There was no confirmation of the number of shots by police.

A police spokesperson said the motive was under investigation and it was unclear who might have been responsible.

In a statement, the embassy condemned the “cowardly attack” and urged Saudi citizens in the Netherlands to be on high alert and to exercise caution.

The incident occurred a day after an explosion at a World War One remembrance ceremony involving foreign embassies in the Saudi city of Jeddah, that wounded several people.

The explosion was the second security incident to take place in the Red Sea port city in the last couple of weeks, and the first apparent bomb attack targeting foreigners in the conservative kingdom.